Jeffrey Rose confirmed as new DRED commissioner

CONCORD - The Executive Council Wednesday unanimously approved the appointment of Jeffrey Rose as commissioner of the state Department of Resources and Economic Development for a one-year term, ending in April 2014.

Rose was appointed to complete the final year in the term of long-time commissioner George Bald, who announced his retirement in August, effective Nov. 1.

Rose was previously employed as director of public affairs for the Electronics Systems division of BAE Systems in Nashua, the state's largest manufacturing employer with roughly 4,500 workers in New Hampshire. Long-time DRED employee Phil Bryce of Deering had been serving as acting commissioner since Bald's resignation.

Opponents of Northern Pass, a plan to bring hydroelectric power from Quebec into New England through northern New Hampshire, claimed that previous statements by Rose suggest he supports the controversial project, which he denied at the Feb. 22 hearing on his confirmation.

"The appointment is only until April of next year, and we'll have an opportunity to keep an eye on him," said Executive Councilor Ray Burton, whose district encompasses the North Country towns most directly affected by the Northern Pass project.

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